Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics: Match Preview and Predictions - 4th December 2019
Match Details
Fixture: Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics
Date & Time: Wednesday, 4th December 2019 (7:30 PM ET)
Venue: TD Garden, Boston MA
Last Game Results
Miami Heat (15-5): 121-110 win over the Toronto Raptors (3rd December)
Boston Celtics (14-5): 113-104 win over the New York Knicks (1st December)
Miami Heat Preview
The Miami Heat have made an excellent start to the season, although many felt, looking at their current roster, that it was a matter of time before they fell down the East standings.
However, Erik Spoelstra's team picked up their biggest win of the season last night as they beat the Toronto Raptors in overtime, and their 15-5 start to the season is a joint franchise record.
Goran Dragic is out of tonight's game after suffering a hamstring injury, and the Heat will hope to continue to get huge contributions from players such as Duncan Robinson and Justise Winslow.
Miami will be eager to make another statement tonight against a rested Boston team.
Key Player - Jimmy Butler
Jimmy Butler has been excellent through the first six weeks of the season, and the four-time All-Star posted a triple-double during Miami's impressive win over the Raptors. The 30-year-old logged 41 minutes in Toronto and will hope to make an impact in Boston just 24 hours later.
Heat Predicted Lineup:
Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, Meyers Leonard, Kendrick Nunn, Duncan Robinson
Boston Celtics Preview
There were doubts over Boston's ability to contend this season following the offseason departures of Kyrie Irving and Al Horford, but the Celtics take a 14-5 record into tonight's game.
The Celtics' young players have finally taken the next step this season, while Kemba Walker has proved to be a fine addition to the backcourt.
Brad Stevens' side are also yet to lose at TD Garden this season - and with Gordon Hayward closing in on a return, the Celtics are in a strong position as we enter December.
Key Player - Jayson Tatum
No player has benefited more from Irving's departure than Jayson Tatum, and the 21-year-old will be hoping to make a first All-Star appearance following an excellent start to the season.
Tatum dropped 30 points on the Knicks in his last outing, and the forward enters the game against the Heat averaging 21.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game.
Celtics Predicted Lineup:
Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Daniel Theis, Kemba Walker, Brad Wanamaker
Heat vs Celtics Match Prediction
All of Miami's defeats so far this season have come on the road, while the Celtics are among the handful of teams with a perfect home record. Combined with the fact that Miami needed overtime to beat the Raptors last night, the Celtics enter the game as favorites, and Stevens' team should be able to pick up their 15th win of the campaign.
Where to Watch Heat vs Celtics?
There will be live coverage of the game on NBC Sports Boston and FOX Sports Sun from 7:30 PM ET. You can also stream the game via NBA League Pass.